Excluded former pupils sue school for damages

Two men who say their education was ruined by a school's decision to exclude them are claiming damages, alleging they were victims of racial discrimination.

Rinehart Appiah and Frank Wabwire, both in their early 20s, yesterday claimed at the Central London county court that officials at Bishop Douglass Roman Catholic school in Finchley, north London, had hampered their attempts to progress to university.

Both received permanent exclusions for violent behaviour in 2002, later commuted to 45 days. A school spokeswoman said the claims were being vigorously contested.